Innholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2025 i Pickleball Magazine

This issue, we are pleased to bring you an exclusive interview with the finest pickleball player in the world, 25-year-old Ben Johns. Contributor Matthew Schwartz spoke with Ben about a wide range of topics, including his change in doubles partner from his brother Collin to Gabe Tardio, the pressure of being the best, his pregame routines, his girlfriend (and one big reason he loves her), his obsession with a fantasy trading card game, his favorite music, the person he idolizes most, his favorite food (he’s a major foodie) and TV shows. Editorial Director Julie Talerico commissioned photographer Juan Valdes to shoot the cover where Ben lives in Austin, Texas. The shoot took place on the rooftop of the Urban Pickleball Club downtown on a beautiful sunny day at the end…

↘ We’d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules@pickleballmagazine.com. Q&A Q. I have watched pickleball referees at tournaments and it looks like challenging but interesting work. How can I become a referee? A USA Pickleball has an extensive referee training program and provides three levels of referee credentials. USAP Officiating now has more than 800 members and there are referee trainers all over the U.S. The Officiating page at usapickleball.org provides most of the details you need but the information below will help. The process has evolved a lot over the years, and to make sure you receive an up-to-date answer to your question, I asked the USA Pickleball managing director of officiating, Tom Tadler, to help me answer your question. Here is Tom’s advice: If you…

Pickleball is a sport of strategy, precision, and resilience, requiring players to thrive in moments of chaos and pressure. Whether you’re defending against a hard-hitting “banger,” navigating the mid-court transition zone, or battling nerves at a close score, your ability to stay calm, balanced, and centered can define your game. In this article, we’ll explore how cultivating breath, focus, and controlled energy can elevate your performance, and provide practical, actionable tools to integrate these principles into your play. Calmness in the Face of Chaos: Defending Against the Banger Few moments on the pickleball court feel as chaotic as when you’re standing at the kitchen line (non-volley zone) and facing a banger—a player who relies heavily on driving the ball hard and fast. These drives are often aimed directly at you,…

USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for the sport of pickleball in the U.S., is excited to announce the release of its updated 2025 Rulebook, the singular source for the rules of game, which is available for review and free download on usapickleball.org and went into effect Jan. 1, 2025. The print-bound version, which is available for purchase, includes additions or changes to current rules following the review of more than 180 proposals submitted by members, nonmembers and global participants. View the rulebook at usapickleball.org/rulebook. “USA Pickleball is excited to release the official 2025 Rulebook featuring the introduction of a rally scoring option for certain doubles play and an option extension for singles play,” said Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball. “While traditional scoring remains the official method, these new…

ARVO EDITION 002 Suggested Retail: $155.00 Core Material: Polycell Surface: Carbon Slate T700 with Gravelon Grit Weight (oz): 8.0 Colors: Cerulean Blue, Hunter Green, Salmon Pink ARVO SPARTAN Suggested Retail: $195.00 Core Material: Polycell Surface: Kevlarmor Weight (oz): 7.9 Colors: Roman Red, Aegean Blue ASTES SPORTS ENGINEER MAX Suggested Retail: $189.99 Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.7-8.1 Colors: Carbon Black, Fiber White ASTES SPORTS ENGINEER PRO Suggested Retail: $189.99 Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.7-8.1 Colors: Carbon Black, Fiber White BAGAIL PROSERIES Suggested Retail: $36.99 Core Material: Honeycomb Surface: Fiberglass Weight (oz): 7.8 Colors: Black, Gray, Green, Orange, Red, White BLUE BEAN CYBER 001 Suggested Retail: $99.99 Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: 3K Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 8-8.5 Colors: Blue…

Memel.Global built the first dedicated pickleball court in Africa and now proposes the first pickleball hotel in the world. Some have suggested that it’s unlikely people from the U.S. will support this endeavor, but we are willing to take that bet! In South Africa, about 60 pickleball venues are country club/pay-based. Here, pickleball is thought of as an elitist sport. We counter that, and vow never to charge anyone to play pickleball—but we are willing to charge travelers for a nice place to sleep. Instead of annual fundraising, we are going to raise $500K one time for the purchase of this hotel. Memel Eagles are flying high. Dotti Berry (“Coach B”), former University of Kentucky women’s basketball coach and founder of Pickleball Unites, made her first trip to instruct here,…

As we kick off 2025, I am excited to share what’s ahead and how USA Pickleball is leading the charge. This year, we’re focusing on evolution, connection and giving back to the community, as well as continuing to support pickleball as the fastest-growing sport in America. Advancing Equipment Standards We remain committed to maintaining our position as the industry leader in equipment standards. With the introduction of Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution, we have made enhancements to equipment testing, ensuring fair play while encouraging innovation. Driving Membership Growth The growth of pickleball is a testament to the passion and enthusiasm of its players, and 2025 is poised to be another record-breaking year for participation. We are focusing on expanding our membership by offering enhanced resources, benefits, and opportunities for players at…

Editor’s Note: At press time, the devastating wildfires in Southern California continue to burn, impacting communities and displacing countless residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy, and we commend the Kimpton La Peer Hotel and others in the area for providing accommodation and resources to those in need. While this article highlights the La Peer as a luxury pickleball destination, we reached out to Kimpton La Peer for a statement on its current role: “Our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating California fires. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation alongside city officials—the safety and security of our guests and hotel colleagues remains our highest priority. There are 19 IHG Hotels & Resorts across the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and Pasadena area…

Whether you’re new to the sport and USA Pickleball or setting goals for the new year, we’re here to help you start your journey to the best pickleball season. Visit usapickleball.org to learn more about all of our programs. Join Us First, if you’re not a USA Pickleball member, you’re missing out! We have three membership types — Champion ($60), Challenger ($25) and Casual (free) — for the tournament players, weekend warriors and fans among us. Find the right membership for you at usapickleball.org/memberships. Now, let’s talk perks. We offer more than our popular digital magazine subscription, bag tag and stickers! Our Champion members enjoy the following benefits (among several others). Annual Member Gift Choose from four bundle options for your Champion Member welcome gift, our way of saying thank…

Golden Ticket Tournaments FEBRUARY 5-9 APP Vlasic Classic Daytona Beach Golden Ticket Daytona Beach, FL • Pictona at Holly Hill FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 2 APP Sacramento Open Golden Ticket Sacramento, CA • Spare Time Sports Club / Johnson Ranch Pickleball Complex MARCH 12-16 UTR Sports Macon, Georgia Golden Ticket Macon, GA • Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Center MARCH 26-30 USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Tucson Tucson, AZ • Kino Sports Complex - South South FEBRUARY 4-6 24th Annual All City Tournament Mesa, AZ • Venture Out FEBRUARY 8-11 Kokopelli Klassic Pickleball Tournament El Mirage, AZ • Pueblo El Mirage Resort FEBRUARY 13-15 Ninth Annual Leisure World Pickleball Tournament Mesa, AZ • Leisure World Pickleball Club FEBRUARY 26-28 PebbleCreek Pickleball Club Ninth Annual Tournament Goodyear, AZ • PebbleCreek Pickleball Courts FEBRUARY…

Age: 26 Hometown: Austin, Texas Marital status: Single Skill/rating: 6.5 Favorite tournament: PPA World Championships in Dallas Best shot: Serve You worked on the corporate side of pickleball for Head before becoming a tour pro. What do you see as the future of pickleball from a business standpoint? I see more and more indoor facilities, memberships, more indoor tournaments. Currently Austin is building courts in different suburbs catering to different markets. Location is very important to the profitability of a facility. What drew you to the tour? I wanted the ability to compete. It was a dream to compete professionally. An opportunity for travel and to meet lots of people. I had played collegiate tennis, and this was a way to reach out. What’s your advice to young players? Make…

Pickleball Heart Sweatshirt A cozy and stylish pickleball sweatshirt made from 100% premium cotton, perfect for staying comfortable on and off the court. Price: $98 ellsworthandivey.com Pickleball Striped Oven Mitt Set This set of two features an oven mitt and potholder in a playful pink and green design, perfect for any pickleball enthusiast. Stay safe while serving up some fun in the kitchen! Price: $21 cambridgeuncommon.com Pickleball Queen Crossbody Handbag This handmade beaded pickleball crossbody bag is complete with a crown to celebrate your reign on and off the court. With vibrant colors and winning charm, it’s a perfect match to bring your fashion A-game. Price: $165 maryfrances.com Paddles Up Earrings Set This earring set includes a pair of colorful paddles and gold pickleballs to match. Mix both pairs to…

Recreational pickleball is about fun, but improving your game can make it even more enjoyable. These three keys are simple to implement, yet impactful for enhancing your day-to-day play. 1. Keep Your Opponent Back. One of the easiest ways to gain a side-out and regain the serve is by keeping your opponents from advancing to the net. This begins with a deep return that makes it difficult for them to approach. Aim for the back third of the court on your return to increase their challenge. Pay attention to where your opponents position themselves after serving. If they step forward into the court, returning the ball low and toward their feet can disrupt their next shot and stop momentum. After your return, focus on the fourth and sixth shots. Too…

SELKIRK SLK HALO POWER XL PADDLE REVIEW Look/Cosmetics: 3.5/5 Simple, classy all-black paddle face with silver writing and a large “SLK” across the face. Comes in four color choices, which mostly change the color of the edge guard. T700 raw carbon fiber face and a long, narrow shape (XL), measuring 7.4"x16.4" with a 13mm thickness. Grip size is 4.25" with a handle measuring 5.75" (great for two-handers). This paddle is the top of the line from Selkirk’s SLK series and comes in a more standard shape as well (Max model). My demo weighed 7.9 oz. Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 4/5 This paddle has been around for a few years but is still a great choice for beginners or those on a limited budget. The first few swings show why this paddle has “power”…